In 1893, when Ole Miss' first football team was in training
for a five–game season, Dr. A.L. Bondurant, organizer
and manager–coach, later recalled that "The team
had much discussion as to the colors that should be adopted,
but it was finally suggested by the manager that the union
of the Crimson of Harvard and the Navy Blue of Yale would
be very harmonious, and that it was well to have the spirit
of both of these good colleges." These were adopted
as the football colors, and have since been adopted by the
University as its athletic colors. The PMS numbers for the
Ole Miss red and blue are as follows: Red 199, Blue 280.

Ole Miss Nickname

The University's nickname "Ole Miss" became part
of University 100 years ago, in 1896, when it was selected
in a contest held to identify a new student publication,
the yearbook. It was suggested by the late Miss Elma Meek
of Oxford. Each succeeding issue of the annual has been
given this copyrighted identity.

The name gradually became synonymous with the University
and is now a treasured segment of University history.

The late Frank E. Everett, Jr., B.A. '32, LLB '34, put
it best when he wrote:

"There is a valid distinction between The University
and Ole Miss even though the separate threads are closely
interwoven."

"The University is buildings, trees and people. Ole
Miss is mood, emotion and personality. One is physical,
and the other is spiritual. One is tangible, and the other
intangible."

"The University is respected, but Ole Miss is loved.
The University gives a diploma and regretfully terminates
tenure, but one never graduates from Ole Miss."

Homecoming

Homecoming at Ole Miss was formed as a weekend when alumni
would reunite on the Oxford campus. It wasn’t until
1924 that the Homecoming weekend became centered around
a Rebel football game.

November 22, 1924, is recognized as the first official
Homecoming football celebration at Ole Miss. On that day,
the Rebels defeated Mississippi College 10-6. Since then,
the Homecoming football game and Homecoming weekend have
been an annual event at Ole Miss.

Homecoming is a tradition on nearly every collegiate campus.
At Ole Miss, it holds a special place in the hearts of all
University alumni and current students.

In 1928, the University students felt it a privilege to
invite all former graduates back to the Ole Miss grounds.

“We bid hearty welcome to the alumni on the campus
today,” wrote J.P. Dale, the editor of The Mississippian.
“It is always a pleasure for the student body to receive
you, and to attempt to make you feel at home here as of
yore. There are many ties that bind the old grad to his
Alma Mater, but the greatest of all the ties, and the one
lasting tie, is that feeling of love and veneration of the
traditions of Ole Miss.”

Homecoming weekend at Ole Miss is always a festive one.
The first Homecoming parade is believed to have taken place
in 1930. That year, students held a pep rally followed by
a huge bonfire where freshmen dressed in pajamas and joined
the Ole Miss marching band as the procession continued on
toward downtown.

The Homecoming parade, which has a wide range of participants
from the University, still takes place today with the help
of the Oxford community. The University celebrates by inducting
five new members into the Ole Miss Alumni Hall of Fame.
It also honors tradition by selecting a Homecoming Queen
and her court. Most every year, the Homecoming Queen and
the Alumni Association President appear on the front cover
of the official Ole Miss football gameday program.

The Rebels have found much success when hosting a foe on
Homecoming. Entering this season’s date with Arkansas
State, Ole Miss owns an impressive 60-13-2 record in Homecoming
games. The Rebels have won 17 of the last 20 Homecoming
contests, including last year’s 52-17 victory over
Arkansas State.

The Grove

When Billy Brewer became head football coach at Ole Miss
in 1983, he was searching for a way to allow his team to
experience the atmosphere and pageantry Rebel fans enjoyed
in The Grove while tailgating on gameday. The Grove is a
10-acre grassy plot of ground in the center of campus which
is heavily shaded by large oak trees.

Taking a different route two hours before kickoff each
home game Saturday, Brewer would walk with the team from
Kinard Hall, the athletic dormitory, across campus to Vaught-Hemingway
Stadium.

In 1985, Brewer started going the same route each Saturday
as the team would break The Grove on the east side of the
Student Union and then proceed down a sidewalk which runs
through The Grove. Ole Miss fans fight for position on both
sides of the sidewalk and greet the players with loud cheers.
The braver fans even reach out and touch the players as
they pass before them.

In the fall of 1998, a “Walk of Champions”
arch was erected on the east side of the The Grove, where
the Rebel players begin their walk for every Saturday home
game. The “Walk of Champions” arch was given
to the University by the 1962 Rebel football team, which
is the only squad in Ole Miss football history to finish
a campaign with a perfect record (10-0). The 1962 team won
the SEC title and was also named National Champion by the
Litkenhous Ratings.

What has become a tradition on Ole Miss football Saturdays
continues under sixth-year head coach David Cutcliffe.

The Grove and Ole Miss produce one of the most unique college
football experiences in the South and nationwide. The Sporting
News ranked it among college football’s greatest traditions
and described The Grove as “the Holy Grail of tailgating
sites.” In listing America’s top sports colleges,
Sports Illustrated named Ole Miss the nation’s No.
1 tailgating school.

Ole Miss Tailgating

Tailgating in The Grove and the Circle are extraordinary
Ole Miss football traditions. On game day, thousands of
families and friends gather to embrace each other and their
beloved university.

To care for fans and the campus, follow these guidelines:

Observe The Grove’s opening time of 6 a.m. on game
day and the 15-minute time limit in unloading zones. The
Grove closes at midnight.
Only University-sponsored events may be held in “reserved”
places. Space is claimed on a first-come basis.

Occupy only the space you need—be considerate of
others. No trailers are allowed to park on Grove Loop.

Avoid using ropes, ribbons, etc., to reserve space.

Do not drive stakes into the ground. Electric and water
lines lie underground.
No solicitation is permitted, including commercial and political
advertising. Posting campaign material to University property
is prohibited.

Keep The Grove clean. Trash bags are available in front
of the Triplett Alumni Center and throughout The Grove.

Generators are strictly prohibited. Noise disturbs tranquility
and creates headaches.
Open flames are strictly prohibited. This includes the use
of portable fireplaces, tiki torches, and grills. Propane
bottles are not allowed. Grills are permitted on the perimeter
of The Grove. To avoid safety hazards, always monitor your
grill.
Show patience, courtesy, and respect for all security personnel.

Do not leave valuables unattended. University Police officers
are on patrol, but they cannot be responsible for hundreds
of picnic sites.

Observe designated emergency lanes. Tents are allowed in
The Grove, but a safer, more enjoyable environment is created
when emergency lanes are observed.

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